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This week’s diary is written by Conor Burns,
who was selected a year ago as PPC for Bournemouth West, where Sir John Butterfill is retiring as Conservative MP at the next election. Sir John bequeaths Conor a notional majority of 2,766 after some boundary changes. Conor writes about his week as the Lib Dems converged on Bournemouth for their annual conference.

Saturday 19th SeptemberMost Saturdays we have some form of street presence but for a change we don’t this week. I have breakfast with an old friend, and a new one, at a popular cafe in Westbourne. Then walk around Westbourne. Spend some time talking to an elderly veteran of WWII who is collecting for the wings appeal. It’s always humbling listening to their stories and remembering how much we owe that generation.

Before heading to the local office to check on post I pick up a copy of the Daily Echo. Nick Clegg has launched an extraordinary intemperate attack on David Cameron calling him a ‘Conman’. I’m sure this is a mistake from their point of view. People tell me on the door step that they want to know more about David – but they don’t dislike him. This is the sort of language that really turns people off and I’m not sure Clegg has earned the right with the public to say it. Dash off a quick letter the Echo saying that while people are worried about so many things people want politicians to raise the tone of debate. Use one of my favourite quotes from Lord Denning, “Two reasonable persons could perfectly reasonably come to opposite conclusions on the same set of facts without forfeiting their right to be regarded as reasonable.”

Head over to one of the Poole Wards which will be in Bournemouth West under boundary changes to do a bit of delivery. I’d printed a leaflet for one of our Councillors who had got some work done on a roundabout near the University. Vital that when we do good work we tell the public. Later get a couple of emails from people who had got the leaflet. This is when I feel I’m making proper contact.

They need to be received by midday on Tuesday 26th August, with interviews and the big event being held a few weeks later. The notionally Conservative seat became vacant when Sir John Butterfill said he would stand down in March,

8.15am, 8th July: We now understand that the process will begin again in September. Many factors appear to have contributed to the restart but unhappiness amongst some activists at the failure of a local councillor to progress contributed to some very destructive scrutiny of the candidates that did progress.

Some local Conservatives are calling for Thursday's open primary contest against Mike Greene to be delayed. There is some concern that Caroline Dineage should have more time to rally supporters. If the current timetable stands Cllr Greene will have enjoyed a four day head start in recruiting people for the open primary.

ConservativeHome also understands that CCHQ will be asked to space out the selection for plum seats selecting in the future. One key Bournemouth Tory said that this sort of incident was always possible and could be avoided with a more staggered seat selection timetable.

This is Dorset is reporting that Rebecca Harris and Mike Greene are the two finalists for Bournemouth West, the seat being vacated by Sir John Butterfill MP. Next Thursday, July 10, an open primary will decide the candidate.

"I would have stayed had there been an election last autumn and was selected to do so, by which time I would be in my 70th year. If I stayed on for five years I'd be 75 so that was probably a bit long. I've now got seven grandchildren with an eighth about to arrive at the end of this month. I'd like to see a bit more of them than I have done with my own children."

The seat has a notional Conservative majority over the LibDems of 2600.